How to Hike The O Circuit & W Trek in Torres del Paine (2025 Reservation Guide)
Want to Hike the O Circuit or W Trek in 2025? Here is everything you need to know to book your hike!
When I hiked the O Circuit in Torres del Paine, booking my trek was not an easy process. And during the trek, I met many other hikers who shared the same frustrations with their O Circuit and W Trek reservations.
Although I persevered and managed to book everything myself, many of my fellow hikers did not. Instead, they resorted to using third-party agencies, which was far more expensive than booking directly.
So, to make things easier for you, I’ve put together this complete guide on how to make O Circuit and W Trek reservations. Plus, I’ve included the tips and tricks I learned from my experience to help you avoid common mistakes when booking Torres del Paine.
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About the O Circuit & W Trek
Torres del Paine is Chile‘s most famous national park – and with good reason!
With its iconic granite peaks, bright blue lakes, magnificent wildlife, and enormous glaciers and icebergs, Torres del Paine truly is a hiker’s paradise.
This is a destination that should be on everyone’s bucket list. And the best way to experience it is by completing one of the park’s popular multi-day hiking routes.
The most popular hike is the W Trek, which covers around 80 kilometers (50 miles) over 3 to 5 days. The route gets its name from the ‘W’ shape it forms, taking you past some of the park’s most iconic sites.
The other longer (and more challenging) route is the O Circuit. This circular route takes you on a loop through the back and front of the park, including the W Trek section.
Covering around 110 kilometers (68 miles), the O Circuit is usually completed in 7 to 9 days. However, the traditional and most popular itinerary takes 8 days and starts from the Laguna Amarga entrance. This is the route I took when I hiked the O Circuit.
Which Hike Is Right for You?
The W Trek and O Circuit are two of the best hikes in Chile (and in the world!). When it comes to experiencing the best of Patagonia, you really can’t go wrong with either.
Whether you choose the W Trek or O Circuit will mostly depend on how much time you have, as well as your experience and fitness level.
The O Circuit vs. the W Trek
The O Circuit is the longer of the two hikes. At 7 to 9 days, it’s a significant time commitment. You’ll also need time to prepare and get to Torres del Paine. If this is too much to fit into your schedule, the W Trek might be the better option for you.
The O Circuit is also more demanding. The hardest part is the section before joining the W Trek, where you hike over John Gardner Pass. This is a long day with significant elevation gain over a short distance, making it quite physically challenging.
Another factor that makes the O Circuit more difficult is its length. Spending 7 to 9 days on the trail is a long time, and your body will feel it. Having a good fitness level and previous experience with multi-day hikes will help make it easier. Be sure to factor this in when deciding if the O Circuit is right for you.
Regardless of your experience level, you’ll likely have a couple of days when you feel particularly tired on the O Circuit.
My Experience Hiking the O Circuit
When I hiked the O Circuit, I found days 5 and 6 to be the hardest. My body was very tired by this point, and this is usually when I would have a rest day or be finishing my hike. Still, I pushed through and luckily bounced back for the final two days!
Personally, if I were to hike in Torres del Paine again, I would hike the O Circuit once more. This is because I love a challenge, and, in my opinion, the best views are in the top section of the hike—particularly John Gardner Pass. Plus, it’s quieter and more remote than the W Trek.
So, if you’re up for the challenge and have the time, I would highly recommend giving the O Circuit a go.
But if you can only fit the W Trek in, don’t worry—you’ll still have an unforgettable time! You’ll see the park’s key highlights and enjoy a slightly more comfortable hike.
O Circuit & W Trek Map & Routes
There are two different entry/exit points to Torres del Paine.
Traditionally, the O Circuit starts at Laguna Amarga and goes counterclockwise (this is the only direction you’re allowed to hike the O Circuit). However, some people choose to start at Paine Grande, working through the W Trek section first.
In contrast, the W Trek can be hiked in either direction and is commonly started from either entry/exit point.
On the map below, the section between Grey Glacier and Refugio/Camping Las Torres is the W Trek. As you can see, it forms a W shape—which is where the trek gets its name. Meanwhile, the O Circuit loops around the park and joins up with the W Trek.
Accommodation Options
There are designated campsites and refugios (shelters) where you can stay along the W and O Treks (see them marked on the map above).
At each accommodation site, the campsites and refugios are adjacent to each other (or within a short walking distance). Upon arrival, you’ll check in at the park office and be directed to your designated accommodation and the available facilities.
Although you may prefer camping to staying in the refugios, or vice versa, availability might determine which one you end up booking. Plus, on the O Circuit, one of the sites (Los Perros) does not have a refugio, so you’ll have to camp at least one night on this hike.
Camping
You are only allowed to camp at designated campsites on the O Circuit and W Trek. To do so, you must have a camping reservation. Wild camping is strictly prohibited in Torres del Paine National Park.
The campsites offer a number of amenities and services, such as enclosed cooking and eating areas, washrooms, and showers. Some campgrounds have specific tent pads, like wooden platforms, while others have a designated area, such as a field, where you can set up your tent anywhere you like.
All of the campsites have basic sites available (for you to set up your own tent, sleeping pad and sleeping bag). Alternatively, there are fully or partially equipped sites you can book if you prefer to rent camping equipment rather than bring your own.
Fully or Partially Equipped Sites
Booking a fully or partially equipped site is a good option if you want to keep your pack weight down. If you’re only camping for one or two nights and staying in refugios the rest of the time, it’s probably not worth carrying camping equipment.
Make sure to carefully read the fine print when booking to ensure you’ve reserved all the equipment you need at each site. And I would recommend bringing a sleeping bad liner for hygiene purposes, as the rented sleeping bags aren’t washed often (they are typically just aired out between uses).
Refugios
The refugios are mountain lodges that offer dorm-style sleeping arrangements, similar to a hostel. Dorm rooms typically have 4 to 8 twin-sized bunk beds.
If you book a stay in a refugio, keep in mind that you will be sharing a room with other hikers. Even if you’re hiking with a group, there’s no guarantee you’ll all be in the same room, so you may end up sharing with strangers.
When booking a dorm room, you will usually need to add bedding to your booking for an additional fee. Most dorm beds don’t automatically come with bedding, and many hikers choose to bring their own sleeping bags instead.
Although, even if you rent bedding, I still recommend bringing a sleeping bag as well. The dorm rooms aren’t heated, so to stay warm at night, it’s best to have a sleeping bag you know will keep you warm—or one you can use in addition to the bedding.
Note: There is no refugio option at the Los Perros site on the O Circuit. However, you can book a fully equipped campsite, so you don’t have to bring your own gear.
Private Sites
A select number of accommodation sites offer an option to book a private room or campsite. However, this comes with a much higher price tag (around $200 to $300 USD per night). This can be a good option if you’re looking for a more luxurious experience or if no other camping or refugio spots are available.
Meals & Food
Catered Meals
At each accommodation site, there is a catered dining room (usually adjacent to the refugio) where hikers with meal packages will be served dinner and breakfast. For those looking for a complete package, a full-board option is available, which also includes packed lunches to take away each day.
Both campers and refugio guests can book meals. To guarantee your meals, be sure to book them in advance of your hike. The easiest way to do this is when booking your accommodation, although you can also book meals separately through the same platforms if necessary.
Additional Food
There is also an option to buy additional supplies and snacks along your hike.
At each accommodation site, there is a small shop (usually adjacent to the park office) that sells essential items. Most of these shops are fairly well-stocked with emergency supplies and basic foods. You’ll generally find a larger selection at shops along the W Trek section (we even found fresh eggs at one!).
However, if you plan to cook your own food during your trek, bring everything you need with you. There is no guarantee the shops will have the items you need, and some may only stock snack foods like biscuits, chips, and noodles.
Although we brought more than enough food with us, we enjoyed indulging in some extra cookies each night at camp, which we picked up from the shop!
Finally, on the W Trek section, some accommodation sites also have bars where you can buy drinks, basic meals, or bar snacks.
Traditional Itinerary: Which Sites to Book
To make the most of your time in Torres del Paine, it’s best to stick to a traditional itinerary. However, if availability isn’t in your favor, you may need to adjust your plans based on the accommodation options available.
When booking Torres del Paine, I recommend first trying to book a traditional route, and trying all your possible start dates. If your preferred dates aren’t available, try adding or dropping a day to see if that works with availability. Hopefully, you’ll be able to secure site bookings as close to your preferred itinerary as possible.
W Trek Itinerary
The traditional W Trek itinerary typically takes 5 days, hiking either east to west or west to east.
If starting at the Laguna Amarga entrance, you’ll spend your first night at Las Torres (Central) or Chileno and hike up to the famous Torres del Paine viewpoint and back.
On day two, you’ll hike toward Francés or Cuernos for the second night. In the past, there was an option to stay at Italiano—a free campground operated by CONAF. However, it has been closed in recent years with no indication of when it might reopen.
Day three takes you up to the Mirador Británico viewpoint, before heading back down and continuing to Paine Grande for the night.
On day four, you’ll hike to Grey, and on your final day, return to Paine Grande to end your hike and exit the park.
If starting your hike at Paine Grande, your route will be the reverse.
W Trek – Traditional 5 Day Hike – East to West
| Day | Overnight Stop | Type of Accommodation |
| 1 | Las Torres (Central) OR Chileno | Camping or Refugio |
| 2 | Francés OR Cuernos | Camping or Refugio |
| 3 | Paine Grande | Camping or Refugio |
| 4 | Grey | Camping or Refugio |
| 5 | EXIT PARK | N/A |
O Circuit Itinerary
The traditional O Circuit itinerary starts at the Laguna Amarga entrance and takes you counterclockwise through the park. (You can only hike the O Circuit in this direction.)
You’ll spend your first night at Serón, your second night at Dickson, and your third night at Los Perros (campsite only). On your fourth night, you’ll stay at Grey, where you meet up with the W Trek. From here, you’ll continue on the traditional W Trek route, hiking west to east.
If you start from Paine Grande, you’ll complete the W Trek section first before continuing to the top section of the O Circuit.
O Circuit – Traditional 8 Day Itinerary
| Day | Overnight Stop | Type of Accommodation |
| 1 | Serón | Camping or Refugio |
| 2 | Dickson | Camping or Refugio |
| 3 | Los Perros | Camping |
| 4 | Grey | Camping or Refugio |
| 5 | Paine Grande | Camping or Refugio |
| 6 | Francés OR Cuernos | Camping or Refugio |
| 7 | Las Torres (Central) OR Chileno | Camping or Refugio |
| 8 | EXIT PARK | N/A |
The 2024/25 Hiking Season
Torres del Paine National Park is open year-round. However, some parts of the park, including certain trails, are only accessible during the summer season.
For the 2024-2025 hiking season, the O Circuit is open from November 1 to March 31. The W Trek is open for a longer period, from September 8 to April 30.
It is possible to hike three of the four sections of the W Trek outside the main summer season. However, during this time, you must be accompanied by a professional guide, which you will need to arrange separately. This guided option is not part of the standard W Trek reservations covered here.
O Circuit & W Trek Reservations
There are several providers through which you can book Torres del Paine. In previous years, you could show up at the park and book your trek last-minute in person. However, this is no longer an option—reservations must now be made online in advance.
It’s essential to make O Circuit and W Trek reservations as early as possible. Spots fill up quickly, so waiting might mean missing out.
The booking process can be somewhat complicated since the various accommodation sites are operated by three different companies: Vertice, Las Torres, and CONAF. However only Vertice and Las Torres sites can currently be booked. The CONAF sites normally operate on a first-come, first-served basis, but have been closed for the past few years with no indication of when they might reopen.
In 2022, a new online booking platform was also introduced called Booking Patagonia Travel.
Alternatively, if you don’t mind the extra cost, you can book through a tour provider to simplify the process.
Different Companies To Book Through
You can book the O Circuit or W Trek by making two separate bookings through Vertice and Las Torres, or by making one booking through Booking Patagonia Travel.
While booking everything in one go through Booking Patagonia Travel might seem like the easiest option, it’s not always the best choice—which I’ll explain in more detail below.
Vertice
Vertice operates the Dickson, Los Perros, Grey, and Paine Grande campsites and refugios. You can book these directly on the Vertice Website’s booking page.
On the booking page, you’ll choose between the W Circuit (W Trek) and the Paine Massif Circuit (O Circuit). You’ll then be prompted to select each of the Vertice campsites along the trek, followed by your preferred dates, type of accommodation, and additional services (meals and camping equipment).
In recent years, the Vertice website was difficult to use. However, they have recently updated it and resolved most issues, making it much easier to use.
The most frustrating part of using the platform now is that you can’t browse all available dates—an issue that affects all the booking platforms. Instead, you have to try your preferred date for each site and, if it’s not available, check alternative dates one by one until you (hopefully) find availability.
Las Torres
Las Torres operates the Las Torres (Central), Serón, Francés, Los Cuernos and Chileno campsites and refugios. These sites can be booked directly through the new Las Torres booking system.
On the booking page you can input your dates and choose from the accommodations that are still available for each site individually. Be sure to adjust the dates for each site when making your selection, to ensure you’re booking the correct dates for each.
The Las Torres booking page was recently redesigned and is relatively user-friendly. However, as it’s a new system, there are still a few quirks that need to be ironed out.
Booking Patagonia Travel
Booking Patagonia Travel is a new third-party website that allows you to book everything in one place. The platform was initially frustrating to use, but it has been recently updated and is now much more user-friendly.
From the homepage, you’ll be prompted to start your search by selecting your trek, preferred route, number of hikers, and start date. It then takes you to a booking page where you can browse choose your preferred itinerary and browse options that match (or are close to) your preferred start date. If no options are available, you’ll need to try different dates.
The benefit of using this platform is that you can book both Vertice and Las Torres sites in one place. You can also add services like meals, camping equipment, and transport to and from the park. Additionally, the park entrance fee is automatically added to your booking, so you won’t need to pay for this separately.
Booking Patagonia Travel also lets you add accommodation in Puerto Natales before and after your hike. However, for better options and prices, I recommend skipping this step and booking your accommodation separately. You can browse Puerto Natales accommodation options here.
If all your preferred sites and dates are available, Booking Patagonia Travel makes the reservation process much easier. However, there are some downsides.
Additional T&Cs and Fees
As a third-party booking company, Booking Patagonia Travel charges a 15% markup. There are also additional terms and conditions on top of the Vertice and Las Torres T&Cs, which still apply. This can make changing or canceling a booking more confusing and expensive.
The Availability Isn’t Always Accurate
Even if Booking Patagonia Travel shows no availability for your preferred dates, I recommend checking the Vertice and Las Torres websites directly. You might be pleasantly surprised!
Upselling on Extras
During the booking process, Booking Patagonia Travel tries to upsell a lot of extras that are often better booked separately—particularly accommodation before and after your hike.
This can be confusing, as the default settings automatically include these extras, and you need to untick them to remove them. Make sure to watch out for this.
The only extras I recommend keeping in your booking are the catamaran (necessary if starting or ending at Paine Grande) and the bus between the park and Puerto Natales (if that’s where you’re staying before or after your hike).
Tours
An alternative to booking everything yourself is to book a tour package. These are self-guided tours that include all necessary services and make planning the hike much easier (although they are more expensive than booking independently).
The main advantage of booking through a tour company is that all logistics are handled for you, and it’s all-inclusive. You save time on planning and don’t need to worry about carrying your own food or camping equipment during the trek.
➡️ BOOK: Classic W Circuit – Torres del Paine
CONAF
CONAF is the Chilean National Forest Corporation. In the past, they operated two free campsites in Torres del Paine: El Paso and Italiano. These sites had limited facilities and could not be booked in advance.
Both the El Paso and Italiano campsites have been closed for the past few years, with no indication of reopening anytime soon. Even if they do reopen, it’s best not to rely on them since they can’t be reserved ahead of time. So, there’s always a chance you’ll arrive and find them full.
How to Make O Circuit & W Trek Reservations
Making O Circuit and W Trek Reservations can be a tricky task. Unless you’re booking a tour package, all the booking platforms come with some challenges.
If your preferred dates and sites are available, Booking Patagonia Travel is the easiest option. However, if you can’t find your first-choice dates on there, booking directly with Vertice and Las Torres will give you a more accurate overview of availability. Plus, these platforms are cheaper and make it easier to adjust your booking if your plans change.
Your first step is to determine your dates and plan your ideal itinerary. Then look on the booking platform(s) to see if your preferred sites are available. If they are, book them right away! Spots fill up quickly, and you don’t want to risk waiting and missing out.
If your preferred dates or sites aren’t available, adjust your dates to explore alternative options and adapt your itinerary accordingly.
Booking Through Vertice and Las Torres
If you choose to book with Vertice and Las Torres, you will have to make two separate bookings.
If following a traditional itinerary, your first booking, through Vertice, will be for Grey and Paine Grande (in the W Trek Section), plus Dickson and Los Perros if you’re doing the O Circuit.
Your second booking will be through Las Torres for Francés or Cuernos, and Las Torres (Central) or Chileno (in the W Trek section), plus Serón if you’re doing the O Circuit.
Here’s a breakdown of which sites belong to each operator, listed in the order you’ll stay at them if you’re doing the O Circuit:
| SITE | TREK | OPERATOR |
| Serón | O Circuit | Las Torres |
| Dickson | O Circuit | Vertice |
| Los Perros | O Circuit | Vertice |
| Grey | O Circuit & W Trek | Vertice |
| Paine Grande | O Circuit & W Trek | Vertice |
| Francés | O Circuit & W Trek | Las Torres |
| Cuernos | O Circuit & W Trek | Las Torres |
| Chileno | O Circuit & W Trek | Las Torres |
| Las Torres (Central) | O Circuit & W Trek | Las Torres |
Booking through Booking Patagonia
If you’re making O Circuit or W Trek reservations well in advance and want the ease of everything being in one place, I recommend trying Booking Patagonia Travel.
On here, you can book your accommodation, meals, transport to and from the park, and park entrance fees all under one reservation. Although there is a markup on this platform, having everything in one place can be worth it.
Booking Patagonia Travel becomes challenging when some of your preferred accommodation options are unavailable on your dates. In this case, you’ll need to keep restarting your search and browsing the suggested itineraries until you find one that works.
It’s also difficult to use Booking Patagonia Travel if you’re trying to book a non-traditional itinerary to work around limited availability. In this situation, I recommend switching to Vertice and Las Torres to make your booking.
Other Things You Need to Book
O Circuit and W Trek reservations aren’t the only things to consider when planning a visit to Torres del Paine. There are other logistics to organize and additional expenses to factor in:
Food / Meals
Full-board costs between $80 to $100 USD per day and includes breakfast, dinner, and a packed lunch to take away. You can also bring your own food and cooking equipment to prepare meals in the campground. Alternatively, you can mix and match by booking some meals and bringing your own food for the rest.
Many hikers book breakfasts and dinners but bring their own snacks for lunch, rather than opting for full-board.
Meals at the refugios can be added to your reservations through the online booking platforms. If there’s availability, you should see an option to add meals during the booking process. It’s recommended to add these when making your O Circuit and W Trek reservations to guarantee availability.
Park Entrance Fee
The park entrance fee is $39 USD per person for visits of less than 3 days, or $55 USD for 3 or more days in Torres del Paine.
This fee is automatically added to your booking when using Booking Patagonia Travel. However, if booking through Vertice and Las Torres, you will need to pay the entrance fee separately, which you can do on the CONAF website here.
Transport to and from Torres del Paine
The most popular way to get to Torres del Paine is by bus from Puerto Natales. This should be booked in advance and costs $18 USD each way. If you don’t add the bus to your Torres del Paine booking, you can book it separately through Bus Sur here.
Accommodation Before and After Your Hike
Most people stay in Puerto Natales for at least one night before and after their hike. There are plenty of accommodation options, including hostels, bed & breakfasts and hotels. Expect to pay around $40 USD per night for a bed in a dorm room or $100 USD per night for a private room.
Hiking and Camping Equipment
If you don’t already have your own hiking and camping equipment, you’ll need to buy or rent it before your hike. While this can be a costly investment, you can find good deals on budget-friendly equipment at stores like Decathlon or on Amazon.
If you prefer to rent your gear, there are also several gear rental stores in Puerto Natales.
Flights to Patagonia
In addition to everything else, you’ll also need to get to Patagonia, which you’ll most likely do by flying. Punta Arenas is the most common airport to fly to for Torres del Paine, but Puerto Natales also has a small airport.
In my experience, the best way to get to Chilean Patagonia is to first fly to Santiago, spend a few days there, then fly down to Punta Arenas and get the bus to Puerto Natales. If you choose this option, be sure to book your bus to Puerto Natales in advance, as it can fill up quickly!
➡️ BOOK: Flights to Chilean Patagonia (Punta Arenas)
Getting to and from the Trailheads
If starting at Laguna Amarga, you’ll take a shuttle bus from the park entrance to the trailhead. If starting at Paine Grande, you’ll need to catch the catamaran from Pudeto. You can’t book either of these in advance; instead, you’ll need to wait in the queue and pay at the time, in cash. They accept both Chilean Pesos (CLP) and USD, so make sure you’re carrying enough cash!
For the 2024/25 season, the shuttle bus to and from the Laguna Amarga trailhead costs $6 USD ($4,000 CLP) per person, each way. The catamaran from Pudeto to Paine Grande costs $45 USD ($45,000 CLP) per person, each way. During peak season, the catamaran sometimes accepts other currencies, like Euros, but I wouldn’t recommend counting on this.
O Circuit & W Trek Cost
The O Circuit and W Trek are not cheap hikes to do. The rates for camping or staying in refugios vary by site.
The cheapest camping options are at the basic Vertice campsites, starting at $11 USD per person, per night. Whereas a basic campsite to pitch your own tent at the Las Torres campsites starts at $45 USD per person, based on two people sharing.
Prices for partially or fully equipped campsites, or for staying in refugios, are significantly higher. A fully equipped campsite (including a tent, sleeping pad, and sleeping bag) for two people sharing costs $280 USD per night, or $250 USD per night for single occupancy. A single bed in a shared dorm room ranges from $43 to $200 USD per person, per night.
The total you should plan to budget for your hike (including accommodation bookings, park entrance fees and the bus to and from the park) is:
- Around $250 USD for the W Trek and $350 USD for the O Circuit (per person) if you’re camping and bringing all your own food and equipment.
- Upwards of $1,000 USD for the W Trek and $1,500 USD for the O Circuit (per person) if you’re staying in refugios or fully equipped campsites with full-board.
And don’t forget to factor in additional costs such as accommodation before and after your hike, flights, equipment and food!
FAQs
Do I Need to Book Torres del Paine in Advance?
Yes – Both O Circuit and W Trek reservations must be made in advance! You are not allowed to start these hikes without booked accommodation or campsites. You must also book your Torres del Paine entry by paying the park entrance fee before arriving.
When you check in before your hike, you will need to show your booking confirmation. You’re also required to carry a printed copy of your reservations, along with your passport and tourist card, to show when checking in at each accommodation stop along the way.
When Do O Circuit and W Trek Reservations Open?
O Circuit and W Trek reservations open in July each year for the upcoming hiking season, which runs from October to April.
It’s best to book Torres del Paine as soon as possible, before spots fill up. However, sometimes you might get lucky with a last minute reservation!
Can I Book the W Trek and O Circuit Last Minute?
You should always make O Circuit and W Trek reservations in advance. Booking last minute is not recommended, as most refugios and campsites fill up early in the season.
However, there is a chance you might get lucky, as not every date is fully booked, and cancellations do occur. Therefore, if you don’t have a reservation, I still recommend checking to see if something suits your dates.
When I booked the O Circuit, it was only a few weeks in advance. I ended up getting lucky and securing the traditional route. It took a lot of time and patience, though, as I had to try many different options to find dates that worked.
Is Torres del Paine Open All Year?
Yes, Torres del Paine National Park is open year-round. However, the hiking season runs from October to April, and most of the refugios and campsites are closed outside of this period. Therefore, you can only hike the O Circuit and traditional W Trek route between October and April.
If you plan to visit outside these months, you can book a guided hike through a tour company or a day trip to Torres del Paine.
➡️ Browse All Torres del Paine Day Tours From Puerto Natales
What Is the Peak Season for Torres del Paine?
The peak season to visit Torres del Paine is during the summer months, from December to February.
What Is the Best Month to Visit Torres del Paine?
For the warmest weather and longest days, December to February are the best months to visit Torres del Paine. However, this is also the windiest time of year in Patagonia and the busiest time in the park.
As an alternative, September to November and March to April are excellent times to visit. These months still fall within the hiking season but are quieter than the height of summer. Plus, these periods offer beautiful colours in the park: in spring, you’ll see blossoming wildflowers, and in fall, the changing hues of the foliage.
Is Torres del Paine Busy?
Yes — Torres del Paine does get busy, especially during the peak summer season. More than 250,000 people visit the park each year!
While many visitors are day-trippers, the W Trek and O Circuit are often fully booked. The limited spaces on both hikes help reduce the number of people on the trails, but the W Trek section can still get very crowded. This is because it’s the more popular of the two hikes and also attracts day visitors.
Where Should You Start Your Hike in Torres del Paine?
There are two entrances/exits to Torres del Paine where you can start the W Trek and O Circuit. The most popular entrance is Laguna Amarga. The other option is Paine Grande, which you can reach by taking the catamaran from Pudeto.
How Many Days Do You Need in Torres del Paine?
If you’re planning to hike the W Trek, you’ll need 3 to 5 days in Torres del Paine. The traditional W Trek itinerary takes 5 days (4 nights). For the O Circuit, you’ll need 7 to 9 days, with the traditional route taking 8 days (7 nights).
If you’re short on time, you can visit Torres del Paine on a day tour or stay for one or two nights at a hotel in the park. In just a couple of days, you can still experience breathtaking scenery and see some of the park’s highlights!
Can You Do the W Trek and O Circuit Without a Guide?
Yes, you can do the W Trek and O Circuit on your own! In fact, self-guided hikes are the most common way to explore the park. However, if you don’t have much hiking experience, hiring a guide to accompany you could be a good idea.
How Difficult Is the O Circuit and W Trek?
Both the O Circuit and W Trek are moderately difficult hikes. They aren’t exceptionally technical, but the elevation gain and length make them challenging in sections. The O Circuit is the more difficult of the two because it’s longer and requires you to hike over John Gardner Pass.
What Is the Best Trek for Beginners in Torres del Paine?
If you’re completely new to hiking, a day trip for a short hike in Torres del Paine is your best option. Whereas, if you have some previous hiking experience and are up for a challenge, the W Trek is a good choice.
If you’re finding the W Trek too difficult, you can skip the sections to the Británico and Torres del Paine viewpoints—though these are highlights of the park.
You can also stay in refugios and fully-equipped campsites with full-board options to lighten your load. And, if you’re still worried about your pack weight, you can hire porters to help carry your gear.
Note – if you’ve never done a multi-day hike before, the O Circuit is not recommended.
Can You See Torres del Paine Without Hiking?
Yes, you can visit Torres del Paine National Park without hiking. Other activities in the park include taking a catamaran to the base of Grey Glacier, kayaking, horseback riding, and biking.
What Is the Closest Town to Torres del Paine?
The closest town to Torres del Paine is Puerto Natales, about a 2.5-hour drive along semi-paved roads. Most people stay here before and after visiting the park, and it’s where most tours to Torres del Paine depart from.
When flying to Chilean Patagonia, you should fly to either Punta Arenas or Puerto Natales. While Punta Arenas is farther from the park, it has a larger airport and is the main arrival point for most visitors.
➡️ BOOK: Flights to Punta Arenas
Final Thoughts – The O Circuit & W Trek
My final takeaways for making O Circuit and W Trek reservations are to book early, be flexible with your dates, and be patient with the booking platforms.
Booking treks in Torres del Paine can be more complicated than other hikes you’ve planned, but the effort is worth it. Both the O Circuit and W Trek offer bucket-list-worthy experiences with some of the most breathtaking and memorable views you’ll ever see.
Happy hiking!
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